Telstra is preparing to expand its network to include the southernmost coast of Western Australia near the tourism hotspot The Gap, just south of Albany.
Key points:
- Telstra says a mobile phone tower along the Southern Ocean should be completed in March next year
- The tower was recommended following the deaths of two fishermen in 2015
- The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions still needs to approve the design
The push to get the space on the grid began following the 2018 coronial inquest into the deaths of two fishermen at the site in 2015.
The tower looks set to be located inside the Cave Point Lighthouse, but the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) needs to give the project the green light.
DBCA confirmed it was working with Telstra to assess the project’s feasibility.
Telstra regional general manager Boyd Brown said he planned to present the plans to the DBCA “in the next couple of months”.
“If the site is approved, we would hope to begin construction early in 2023 and have the site on air by the end of March next year,” Mr Brown said.
Tower among coroner’s recommendations
Plans for a tower gained momentum after two men lost their lives off Salmon Holes at Torndirrup National Park in Albany.
Chunjun Li, 42, and Jiaolong Zhang, 38, were rock fishing on the dangerous coastline April 18, 2015, during a “rough and massive swell”.
They were not wearing life jackets, but they tied themselves to a rock with a rope.
Following intense waves, the men were swept into the sea and underwater.
Mr Li surfaced and ended up on the beach, but bystanders were unable to revive him.
Mr Zhang’s body was never recovered despite an intensive land, sea and air search over four days.
The deputy state coroner made five recommendations following the tragedy.
Rock fishermen are required to wear life jackets following the incident.
The second recommendation was in relation to Telstra installing a mobile phone tower in the area on Eclipse Island to help with future emergencies.
DBCA knocked back previous plans
Telstra tried to install a mobile base at Salmon Holes several years ago as part of the mobile blackspot program.
However, the site was declined by DBCA due to the feared impact on the visual amenity of the national park.
No other locations could be negotiated, so the plan was abandoned.
It means the only mobile coverage at Salmon Holes is in the car park.
The current plan involves placing a Telstra network at the Cave Point Lighthouse, which sits between The Gap and the Blowholes.
Mr Brown confirmed a funding agreement was signed several months ago by Telstra and the federal and state governments.
He said Telstra was finalizing the design of the infrastructure, which would take a few months.
The 13.25-meter lighthouse, which is managed by DBCA, is closed to the public.
Telstra also constructed a new site at Emu Point in June, and 5G upgrades at Pingrup, Spencer Park, Mount Adelaide and Jerramungup are all expected to be completed and on-air by the end of September.
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